The consumer experience was singled out for particular criticism: 'Ikea treats its customers so badly, a riot is the least it might have expected' wrote The Guardian (10 February), cataloguing a lack of online ordering, insufficient stock, and lengthy queues. Others accused it of irresponsibly stimulating demand with heavy advertising and special offers in a deprived area: 'Does it pay to advertise?' (The Times, 10 February).

Yet, with almost twice as many people visiting Ikea as attending church on a Sunday, and buoyant profits, many commentators took the view that consumerism, not Ikea, was to blame for the Battle of Edmonton.

Analysis conducted by Echo Research from data supplied to PRWeek from NewsNow. www.echoresearch.com www.newsnow.co.uk.